As a dietary supplement, bovine cartilage is usually made from the tracheal (windpipe) cartilage of bovines. The dietary supplement VitaCarte® is the commercially available preparation of Catrix®, an experimental powdered preparation that is taken in capsules.

The foremost researcher on the medicinal use of bovine cartilage was the late John F. Prudden, MD, who published the 1974 paper "The Acceleration of Wound Healing with Cartilage. I."

Early evidence suggests that Catrix® may be beneficial for psoriasis and treatment-resistant breast cancer. However, there are scant scientific data available on the medical use of bovine cartilage. Additional research is needed to determine its safety and effectiveness.

Bovine cartilage has also been suggested as a potential treatment for acne, alveoalgia, anal fissure, hemorrhoids, osteoarthritis, pruritus ani (irritated skin around the anus), rash from poison oak or poison ivy, and rheumatoid arthritis. According to secondary sources, bovine cartilage may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating actions. However, human research in these areas is lacking.

The commercial preparation Catrix® Wound Dressing was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, but it is not marketed in the United States. However, there is American availability of dermatologic preparations that contain the same powdered preparation of bovine cartilage as Catrix® Wound Dressing: Catrix® 10 Ointment, Catrix® 5 Rejuvenation Cream, and Catrix® Lipcare.

The FDA does not list bovine cartilage on its Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list.

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

GRADE *

An experimental oral preparation of bovine tracheal cartilage (Catrix®), commercially available as VitaCarte®, has been tested as a potential treatment for cancer. However, based on available evidence, it is unclear if this use is safe or effective.

C

It has been proposed that bovine cartilage may help reduce inflammation and edema and enhance wound healing when applied to the skin. Limited early evidence suggests that Catrix® 10 Ointment may help heal facial skin after laser resurfacing. However, additional research is needed before conclusions can be made.

C

* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this useB: Good scientific evidence for this useC: Unclear scientific evidence for this useD: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Capsules (powdered bovine tracheal cartilage): According to the manufacturer's recommendation, three grams of VitaCarte® (the commercially available preparation of Catrix®, an experimental powdered preparation of bovine tracheal cartilage used in human studies) can be taken three times daily for four months. Prudden stated that the normal clinical, oral dosage for Catrix® is three grams every eight hours, although deviation was possible, provided that at least nine grams daily is taken in at least two doses. According to anecdote, three grams has been taken four times daily for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Ointment (10% powdered bovine cartilage): According to the manufacturer's recommendation, for use after a cosmetic procedure, a liberal amount of Catrix® 10 Ointment (10% powdered bovine cartilage) can be applied to the area immediately after the procedure and every 2-5 hours whenever that area feels or looks dry. The manufacturer also recommends that the area also should be kept moist at all times throughout healing. In a clinical trial, following cosmetic use of laser (laser [erbium:YAG] resurfacing) on facial skin, Catrix® 10 Ointment was applied every two hours for the first 24 hours, after which there was application every four hours following a cool soak with saline for 15 minutes, for eight days.

Cream: Based on herbal textbooks, a 5% bovine cartilage cream has been used for acne (application at least twice daily after washing the affected area), poison ivy or poison oak (application every two hours to start and less frequently as itching decreases), pruritus ani (application two or more times daily), and psoriasis (application 2-3 times daily after bathing the affected area).

Paste: According to secondary reports, a paste made from a mixture of powdered bovine cartilage and saline has been used for alveoalgia, by packing the mixture into the tooth socket.

According to secondary sources, there has been experimental use of weekly or biweekly subcutaneous doses of 5-25 grams of bovine cartilage for most indications, although for osteoarthritis, psoriasis, and cancer, the experimental doses have been up to 40, 75, and 100-300 grams, respectively.

According to secondary sources, 2.2 grams of bovine cartilage, as a 2% suppository, at least three times daily, has been used to soften stools for hemorrhoids and anal fissures

Children (under 18 years old)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for bovine cartilage in children.

Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

Avoid in individuals with known allergy or hypersensitivity to bovine cartilage or any of its constituents.

Side Effects and Warnings

Catrix® is commercially available as the dietary supplement, VitaCarte®. A commercially available ointment of 10% powdered bovine cartilage (Catrix® 10 Ointment) had a lack of adverse effects in 19 patients with eight days of application of the ointment as a dressing following cosmetic use of laser (laser [erbium:YAG] resurfacing) on facial skin.

The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions.